BR102014001446A2 - electronic device for recognition of wrong card insertion, and its method of operation - Google Patents

Abstract

an electronic device for recognition of misplaced card insertion, and its method of operation an electronic device comprises a socket with several connection terminals that accommodates a card-type external device with a cut-out section, several contact plates exposed on an external device-type surface correspondingly connected to the connection terminals in response to insertion of the external card-type device into the socket. A detection unit detects a wrong insertion of the external card-type device into the socket in response to the incorrect location of the cropped section during the wrong insertion. A processor transmits a control signal in response to the detected wrong insertion of the external card-type device.

Description

ELECTRONIC DEVICE FOR RECOGNITION OF ERRONIC CARD INSERTION, AND ITS OPERATING METHOD

FIELD OF INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide an electronic device, system, and / or method for acknowledging a card inserted wrongly.

GROUNDS

Various types of electronic devices, for example in the form of a mobile communication terminal (e.g. a smart phone) typically include a relatively large touchscreen display device (e.g., touchscreen) and a video camera. Relatively high pixel resolution to capture still images and videos and support a communication function. In addition, various types of electronic devices are capable of playing multimedia content, such as music or moving images, and / or connect to a network (eg the Internet) for data exchange (eg browsing the Internet). ). Several types of electronic devices are typically equipped with a relatively high performance CPU and are capable of performing a number of relatively advanced functions.

[003] Several types of electronic devices may be coupled to one or more external devices to perform specific functions. Connecting an electronic device to a particular external device may be optional or mandatory to perform a particular function. Some types of external devices may comprise a relatively small or miniaturized external device, and may be connected to a device using an associated interface.

For example, a memory card may be considered as a type of external device used to expand the storage space of a device. As another example, a subscriber identification module card ("SIM" card) can be considered as a type of external device that can be detachably placed or inserted into a device, for example so that several users who need different authentications may use an electronic device. An external device SIM card type is typically implemented as a card type for ease of use with a mobile communication terminal and to minimize required placement space. A SIM card is typically placed in a card interface, for example a socket or slot, within the device, which can be accessed, for example, through an external port positioned on the device to allow access to mobile communication. .

[005] A SIM card typically stores subscriber information regarding a user of a mobile communication terminal, as well as system related information. A SIM card may be used, for example, with a CDMA-type wireless mobile terminal, or any other suitable type of wireless mobile terminal. A SIM card is typically placed at an interface, for example, in the form of an electrical socket or slot having several contact plates having a predetermined size.

A SIM card typically has to be inserted into an interface in a certain orientation. Accordingly, SIM cards are typically provided with a cut-out section formed by cutting a corner portion of the rectangular SIM card shape to guide a user to correctly insert the SIM card into a terminal. In addition, SIM cards are typically provided with easily recognizable contact plates formed on one of their surfaces, which facilitates correct insertion of the SIM card.

However, as SIM cards become increasingly miniaturized and therefore more difficult to handle, there is a growing likelihood that the user may insert the SIM card into a socket in the wrong orientation (for example, because the section cut out of the SIM card may be too small to be easily seen or detected), thereby preventing the mobile communication terminal from functioning, or causing malfunction.

In addition, as SIM cards become increasingly miniaturized, it may become more difficult for a user to detach or remove a relatively small SIM card from a socket, for example for correct reinsertion.

SUMMARY

It is an object of some embodiments of the present invention to at least partially visualize, solve, mitigate or prevent at least one of the problems and / or drawbacks associated with the related art, for example at least one of the drawbacks and / or drawbacks. above mentioned. Some embodiments of the present invention are intended to provide at least one advantage over the prior art, for example one of the advantages described above.

Accordingly, some embodiments of the present invention provide an electronic device for acknowledging the wrong insertion of a card (e.g., in advance), identifying the incorrect insertion to a user (e.g., regardless of the insertion direction and method of operation). thereby preventing malfunction of the electronic device.

According to one aspect of the present invention, an electronic device according to claim 1 is provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an electronic device according to claim 12 or 15 is provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention, equipment is provided for detecting incorrect insertion of an external object (eg, card-type external device) having a certain shape (eg a square or rectangle with a cut-out section). ) within a device (e.g., electronic device), the equipment comprising: an external object interface defining a volume (e.g., cavity, recess, slot, hole, socket, aperture) for receiving an external object; and a sensing unit for detecting, when an external object is inserted into the volume, whether a portion of the external object is located within a predetermined portion of the volume; where the equipment is configured to determine that the external object is incorrectly inserted into the volume if a portion of the external object is located within the predetermined portion of the volume.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for detecting the incorrect insertion of an external object (eg card-like external device) of a certain shape (eg a square or rectangle with a cut out portion). ) within a device (e.g., electronic device), the method comprising the steps of: detecting when an external object is inserted into a volume (e.g., cavity, recess, slot, hole, socket, aperture) defined by a external object interface to receive the external object if a portion of the external object is located within a predetermined portion of the volume, and determine that the external object is incorrectly inserted into the volume if a portion of the external object is located within the predetermined portion of the volume. volume.

In another exemplary embodiment, the sensing unit comprises a force sensor, where at least a portion of the force sensor extends into the predetermined portion of the volume, and where the sensing unit is configured to detect a physical force. or mechanical applied to the force sensor by at least a portion of the external object located within the predetermined portion of the volume when the external object is inserted into the volume.

[016] In some exemplary embodiments, the force sensor may comprise a switch (e.g., a mechanical switch) configured to close (or open) when a physical force is applied to the force sensor by at least a portion of an external object. located within the predetermined portion of the volume when the external object is inserted into the volume.

In some exemplary embodiments, the sensing unit may comprise a light emitter for emitting light through the predetermined portion of the volume, and a light sensor for detecting light emitted by the light emitter. Consequently, light emitted by the light emitter is blocked from being detected by the light sensor if a part of an external object is located within the predetermined portion of the volume when the external object is inserted into the volume. The detection unit is configured to determine whether or not the external object is inserted incorrectly according to the detection or non-detection by the light sensor of the light emitted by the light emitter.

[018] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides an electronic device (e.g., a mobile communication terminal) comprising a socket having a plurality of connection terminals accommodating a cut-out card-type external device, several exposed contact plates on a surface of the card-type external device that are correspondingly connected to the connection terminals in response to insertion of the card-external device into the socket. A detection unit detects the wrong insertion of the external card-type device into the socket in response to the incorrect location of the trimmed section during the wrong insertion. A processor transmits a control signal in response to the detected wrong insertion of the external card-type device.

In some exemplary embodiments, the sensing unit comprises a moving part occupying the cut-off section when the card-type external device is normally inserted into the socket, a fixed part separated from the moving part by a predetermined range, and a spring configured to support the moving part in occupying the cut-out section and being supported by the fixed part. The moving part is provided with a conductor, the fixed part is provided with a separate first terminal and a second terminal, and the first terminal and second terminal are electrically connected to each other by the conductor in response to movement of the moving part. The moving part is pushed when the external card-type device is inserted incorrectly so that the conductor electrically connects the first terminal and the second terminal of the fixed part to detect erroneous insertion of the external card-type device. A display device conveys an error message indicating incorrect insertion of the external card-type device in response to the detected incorrect insertion of the external card-type device.

[020] In some exemplary embodiments, a switching unit switches between electrical signals present at the socket connection terminals corresponding to the electrical signals from the contact cards of the card-type external device that is inserted incorrectly in response to the detected incorrect insertion of the external device. Card type. The switching unit is automatically switched in response to the detected wrong insertion of the external card type device and a control signal from the processor. The external card type device is a Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) card or a memory card.

[021] In some exemplary embodiments, the detection unit comprises at least one photosensor that performs detection using the cropped section of the external card-passing device for correct insertion detection. A first photosensor detects if there is a cropped section and a second photosensor detects whether an external card-type device is inserted.

[022] In some exemplary embodiments, a method detects an erroneous insertion of an external card-like device into a socket of an electronic device by determining whether the external card-like device that has a cut-out section formed in one corner of the external card-like device and several cards contact points exposed on a surface of the external card-type device for connection corresponding to the socket connection terminals, is inserted incorrectly by detecting the wrong insertion of the external card-type device into the socket in response to the incorrect location of the cut-out section during the wrong insertion. The method transmits an error message indicating the wrong insertion in response to the detected wrong insertion of the external card-type device and terminates the operation of the electronic device in response to the detected wrong insertion of the external card-type device.

[023] In some exemplary embodiments, the method determines whether the card-type external device is usable without correctly inserting the card-type external device and in response to the determination of the card-type external device to be usable without reinsertion, switches between electrical signals from the connection terminals. corresponding to the electrical signals from the contact cards of the card-type external device that is inserted incorrectly in response to the detected wrong insertion of the card-external device. In response to the determination of the card-type external device being inserted incorrectly, the method switches between electrical signals from the socket connection terminals corresponding to the electrical signals from the card-type external device contact plates that are incorrectly inserted. When the external card-type device comprises a Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) card or a memory card, the method comprises switching between electrical signals from the socket connection terminals to provide corresponding electrical signals from the corresponding SIM card or memory card. circuit destinations.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a computer program comprising organized instructions, when executed, to implement a method, system and / or equipment according to any of the above aspects. A further aspect of the present invention provides machine readable storage for storing such a program.

Other salient features, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, reveals exemplary embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other aspects, features and advantages of some exemplary embodiments of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: [027] FIG. . 1 shows a perspective view illustrating the insertion of a SIM card into an electronic device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[028] FIG. 2 shows a plan view illustrating the insertion of a SIM card into an electronic device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[029] FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating a card normally inserted into a socket of an electronic device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[030] FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating a card erroneously inserted into an electronic device socket according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[031] FIG. 5 shows a plan view of an electronic device illustrating a screen indicating to a user that a card is mistakenly inserted according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[032] FIG. 6 shows a configuration diagram illustrating the comparison of contact plate structures that support the detection of card misplacement according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[033] FIG. 7 shows an electronic device system for acknowledging card insertion and switching of corresponding connection terminals according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[034] FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams illustrating a detection unit for detecting card misplacement according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; and [035] FIG. 9 shows a block configuration diagram of an electronic device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description of exemplary embodiments is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of the present invention as defined by the claims. The description includes a number of specific details to aid in this understanding, but these should be considered as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to bibliographic meanings, but are merely used by the inventor to allow a clear and consistent understanding of the invention.

Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention is provided for illustrative purposes only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims.

The same or similar components may be designated by the same or similar reference numerals, although they may be illustrated in different drawings.

[039] For the sake of clarity, conciseness and simplicity, and to avoid obscuring the subject matter of the present invention, detailed descriptions of well known functions, processes, operation, resources, constructions, structures and / or configurations may be omitted.

The terms used herein are defined in accordance with the functions of the present invention. Therefore, terms may vary depending on the intentions or practices of users or operators. Therefore, the terms used herein should be understood based on the descriptions made herein.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise", "include" and "contain" and variations of these words, for example, "comprising" and "comprise", mean "including, but not limited to" a ", and are not intended to exclude (and do not exclude) other features, elements, components, integers, steps, processes, operations, characteristics, properties, and / or their groups.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular forms "one" and "o" include plural referents unless the context mentions otherwise. Therefore, for example, reference to "an object" includes reference to one or more of such objects.

By the term "substantially" is meant that the mentioned characteristic, parameter or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including, for example, tolerances, measurement error, limitations of measurement accuracy and others. Factors known to those skilled in the art may occur in amounts that do not exclude the effect of the characteristic intended.

[044] Resources, elements, components, integers, steps, processes, operations, functions, characteristics, properties and / or groups thereof described in conjunction with a specific aspect, embodiment or example of the invention shall be understood to apply to any other aspect, mode or example described herein unless incompatible with those.

It will also be understood that throughout the description and claims of this specification, language in the general form of "X to Y" (where Y is some action, process, activity, operation or step and X is some means to perform such action, process, activity, operation, or step) encompasses X media adapted, configured, or organized specifically, but not exclusively, to do Y.

[046] In the following description, a mobile terminal is described as an electronic device, and an external card-type device applicable to the mobile terminal is illustrated and described below. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the card type external device may be applicable to various types of equipment. For example, the external card-like device may be applied to a portable electronic device, and may be applicable to a portable terminal, a mobile keyboard, a media player, a tablet computer, a clock, a portable computer, or a Digital Assistant. Personal (PDA). However, various fixed electronic devices, such as a personal computer, may have a structure into which the external card-like device may be inserted, even if it is not the portable electronic device.

In addition, some embodiments of the present invention use a subscriber identification module (SIM) card as the external card type device, but are not limited to it. For example, multiple cards may apply to the electronic device, which has multiple contact cards to connect correspondingly to multiple socket connection terminals on the electronic device. Accordingly, it is apparent that various external card type devices such as a small memory card and an ID card may be applicable to the electronic device in addition to the SIM card.

[048] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view illustrating the insertion of a SIM card into an electronic device 100. Device 100 includes a front display device 101 comprising a touch screen, for example. A microphone device 103 for voice transmission is located below display device 101, and a speaker device 102 for voice reception is located above display device 101. Several additional units 104 and 105 are provided around the display. speaker device 102 including a camera module 104 for photographing an individual, a luminance sensor 105 for automatically adjusting the display brightness of the display device 101, and a proximity sensor 105 for automatically disabling the display screen during a call.

[049] The slot 106 of a predetermined length is formed on one side of the electronic device 100 to selectively accommodate an insertable and retrievable external card type device 20 '. External device 20 'may be a memory card used as a supplementary electronic device storage device or a SIM card, for example. Although not illustrated, a socket for accommodating external card-like device 20 'is provided within slot 106.

[050] FIG. 2 shows a plan view illustrating the insertion of a SIM card into the electronic device 100 where an external card-like device 20 is placed on the back surface of the electronic device 100. The socket 10 which accommodates the device 20 is located on the rear surface 107 of the device. The external device 20 comprises a SIM card, for example, which is prevented from being detached by a battery pack 108 and a locking part 109. Several visually recognizable contact plates are located outside each of the external devices. card type 20 'and 20 for physical electrical connection to corresponding socket connection terminals and it is not common for a user to insert the card upside down. A system advantageously detects wrong card insertion and guides a user into the correct card insertion for normal SIM card operation in the case that a SIM card, typically having a rectangular shape, is wrongly inserted upside down with a 180 degree orientation error.

In the following description, the external card-like device is referred to as a 'SIM card', but the invention is not limited to it. FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating a card normally inserted into a socket of an electronic device. SIM card 20 is usually inserted into socket 10 and detection unit 30 located at the end of socket 10 detects insertion of SIM card 20. SIM card 20 is generally rectangular in shape with a cut-out section in one corner. Therefore, a user can recognize the cropped section 21 with the naked eye and correctly insert the SIM card 20. The SIM card 20 includes several contact plates Cl, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, Cl and C8. exposed outside the SIM card at predetermined intervals. Contact plates Cl, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7, and C8 are, for example, configured by five SIM_VCC (C1), SIM_RST (C2), SIM_CLK (C3), SIM_GND (C5), and SIM_IO (C7) in case of a SIM card. The remaining contact plates C4, C6 and C8 do not perform a separate connection function and are reserved for additional connection functions.

Corresponding socket connection terminals 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 are made available in card placement space 19 of socket 10. When SIM card 20 is placed in card placement space 19 of the socket 10, the connection terminals 11, 12, 13, 15, 16 and 17 are correspondingly electrically connected to the five SIM_VCC (C1), SIM_RST (C2), SIM_CLK (C3), SIM_GND (C5) and SIM_I0 (C7) contact cards. ). At least one connection terminal (a "pin reserved") 16 is connected to the SIM card contact card but does not perform a function. In addition, several locking pieces 14 along the edge of socket 10 prevent the SIM card placed on the card placement surface 19 from being detached. The socket 10 may be formed in a housing type, or may include a known locking device which is locked and released alternately when the placed SIM card 20 is inserted in a placement direction and retrieved respectively.

[053] Detection unit 30 occupies a portion of the card placement space 19 of socket 10 for mis-insertion detection of SIM card 20. The detection unit 30 includes a physically movable part 31 that moves outside the placement space 19 and a fixed part 33 supporting a spring 32 providing restorative force to move the movable part 31 towards the card placement space 19. Therefore, a part of the movable part 31 is within the card placement space 19 from socket 10 and is returned by the spring 32 supported by the fixed part 33. The moving part 31 is positioned to prevent interference with the jagged section 21 of the SIM card 20 when it is completely and correctly inserted and when the SIM card 20 is inserted incorrectly. without the cutout being in the correct location, the corner of the uncut SIM card contacts the moving part 31. The moving part 31 is moved around the corner (not recessed). SIM card when the SIM card 20 is inserted completely wrong in socket 10.

In addition, a ground pin 331 and a contact pin 332 are incorporated in the fixed part 33 at predetermined intervals and a conductor 311 with a predetermined area is incorporated in the moving part 31. Consequently, when the moving part 31 is not pushed by the SIM card 20, the ground pin 331 and the contact pin 332 are kept apart from each other. However, when the moving part 31 is pushed by an uncut corner 21 of the wrongly inserted SIM card, the ground pin 331 and the contact pin 332 of the fixed part 33 are electrically connected to each other by conductor 311 of the moving part 31. As a result, the SIM card control unit (45 in FIG. 7) of the electronic device 100 recognizes the wrong insertion of the SIM card 20 and performs a corresponding operation. Although not illustrated in detail, the movable part 31 and the fixed part 33 may be movable within or in another embodiment fixed to the electronic device. Specifically, the moving part 31 and the fixed part 33 may be supported by the housing structure of the electronic device to be movable or fixed.

[055] FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating a card erroneously inserted into an electronic device socket. FIG. 5 shows a plan view of an electronic device illustrating a screen indicating to a user that a card has been inserted incorrectly. With reference to FIGS. 4A through 5, when the SIM card is inserted erroneously, the corner other than the cut-out section 21 of the SIM card 20 contacts the inclined portion 312 of the moving part 31. In this condition, the SIM card 20 is not completely inserted, and a user continuously inserts the SIM card 20 into the socket 10 placement space in the direction of an arrow in FIG. 4B. The moving part 31 lead 311 electrically connects the ground pin 331 of the fixed part 33 to the contact pin 332, in response the device 100 detects the wrong insertion of the SIM card 20. The SIM card control unit 45 (FIG. 7 ) of electronic device 100 transmits various messages on display device 101 of electronic device 100 in response to signal detection. Alternatively, an electronic device processor module 100 may perform the function of the SIM card control unit 45 without the need for a separate SIM card control unit 45. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, a message ("SIM Card Not Inserted Correctly. Please Insert Correctly!") Is sent to guide the user to reinsert the SIM card in a correct orientation. In other embodiments, the message may be transmitted by different methods. In another embodiment, the functions of socket terminals 11, 12, 13, 15, 16 and 17 of socket 10 are switched to facilitate the generation of a message indicating that SIM card 20 is inserted erroneously and to ask if operation should be performed. normal even though the SIM card is inserted incorrectly or awaits the correct insertion of the SIM card. In another embodiment, when the SIM card 20 is incorrectly physically inserted, the SIM card may be grasped by the moving part 31 preventing the complete insertion of the SIM card, thus allowing the user to perceive the wrong insertion and correctly insert the SIM card. .

[056] FIG. 6 shows a configuration diagram illustrating the comparison of contact plate structures that support card mismatch detection. FIG. 7 shows an electronic device system for acknowledging card insertion and switching of corresponding connection terminals. With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, when the wrong insertion of the SIM card 20 is detected by the detection and detection unit 30, the electronic device's processor module or SIM card control unit 45 switches the functions of the connection terminals 11, 12, 13, 15, 16 and 17 of socket 10 to allow normal operation of SIM card 20. Even if SIM card 20 is mistakenly inserted into socket 10, contact plates Cl, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7, and C8 exposed outside the card YES can be connected to socket terminals 11, 12, 13, 15, 16 and 17 of socket 10 even if the signals do not match the normal signals present on these contact plates after correct insertion.

[057] When the SIM card is inserted normally, the SIM card VCC Cl contact card corresponds to the first socket connection terminal 11, the SIM_RST C2 contact card of the SIM card corresponds to the second socket connection terminal 12, the SIM card SIM card contact CLK C3 corresponds to the third socket connection terminal 13, SIM card SIM_GND C5 contact card to the fourth socket connection terminal 15, and SIM card contact card ^ IO C7 corresponds to the sixth connection terminal 17 of the socket, thereby supporting normal SIM card operation.

[058] However, when the SIM card is inserted upside down, the electrical connection is made such that the VCC Cl contact card on the SIM card corresponds to the sixth socket connection terminal 17, the SIM_RST C2 contact card on the SIM card. SIM corresponds to the fifth socket terminal 16, the SIM_CLK C3 contact card on the SIM socket corresponds to the fourth socket terminal 15, the SIM_GND C5 contact plate on the SIM socket corresponds to the third socket 13, and the SIM contact card ^ IO C7 on the SIM card corresponds to the first connection terminal 11 of the socket. The electrical device 100 advantageously includes a separate switching unit 40 for switching socket 10 connection terminals as illustrated in FIG. 7 in response to detecting the wrong insertion as opposed to the card.

[059] With reference to FIG. 7, when the SIM card 20 is incorrectly inserted, the ground pin 331 and the contact pin 332 are electrically coupled by conductor 311, initiating the switching of switching devices 41, 42 and 43 of switching unit 40. Therefore, the first connection terminal 11 and sixth connection terminal 17 are exchanged for the first switching device 41 of the switching unit, the third connection terminal 13 and the fourth connecting terminal 15 are exchanged for the second switching device 42 of the switching unit , and the second connection terminal 12 and the fifth connection terminal 16 are exchanged for the third switching device 43 of the switching unit, thus advantageously allowing normal operation even when the SIM card is inserted incorrectly.

[060] In one embodiment, in response to erroneous insertion detection by detection unit 30, ground pin 331 and contact pin 332 are electrically coupled, and switching is automatically performed in response to this coupling. However, in one embodiment, a SIM card control unit or an electronic device processor that receives the detection signal from the SIM card control unit can control the switching unit directly.

[061] FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams illustrating a detection unit for detecting erroneous card insertion. The movable rotating metal part 51 is incorporated into the socket 10 card placement space, and a contact pin 52 is inserted into the socket 10 wall. When the SIM card 20 is incorrectly inserted, the movable rotating metal part 51 is pushed by the corner of the SIM card to be rotated in the direction of the arrow and is electrically connected to contact pin 52, initiating detection of erroneous insertion of the SIM card. The movable element 61 in the corner of the card placement space is supported by a spring 62, a ground pin 631 and a contact pin 632 are provided in the socket wall 10 apart from a predetermined range, and a conductor 611 is provided over the movable element 61. When the SIM card 20 is mistakenly inserted, the movable element 61 is pushed in the direction of the arrow by the corner of the SIM card so that pins 631 and 632 are electrically connected providing a detection signal indicating detecting a wrong SIM card insertion.

Different embodiments may be used for detecting erroneous insertion of the SIM card electrically or mechanically in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. For example, when the SIM card is inserted normally, at least one photosensor with a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit may be provided in the socket card placement space that allows reception by the light-emitting unit through the section. cropped from the SIM card when the SIM card is normally inserted correctly. When the SIM card is inserted incorrectly, light emission is blocked by the corner of the SIM card from being received by the receiving unit triggering the wrong SIM card insertion detection. Another photosensor for SIM card placement verification may further be provided in addition to the photosensor described above regardless of erroneous insertion of the SIM card. The electronic device processor in one embodiment determines that the SIM card is inserted into the socket by using a single photosensor and light emitter and detects whether the SIM card is inserted incorrectly using a second photosensor and light emitter.

[063] FIG. 9 shows a block configuration diagram of an electronic device including a storage module 110, a processor module 120, a communication module 130, an external port 140, a switch unit 40, a detection unit 30, a unit 150, an input / output control module 160, a display unit 170, and an input device 180. The storage module 110 and external port 140 may comprise several units, and the display unit 170 It may include an LCD module as the display module. Processor module 120 includes a memory controller 121, at least one processor 122, and a peripheral interface 123. Here, processor module 120 will also be referred to as a processor. Communication module 130 includes a radio frequency (RF) processor 131 and a baseband processor 132.

Storage module 110 includes a program storage unit for storing a program for controlling an operation of the electronic device 100, and a data storage unit 118 for storing data generated during the execution of a program. For example, the program storage unit includes an operating system (OS) software module 111, a communication software module 112, a graphics software module 113, a user interface (UI) software module 114, at least one application program software module 115, a touchscreen operation program module 116, and an external door control module 117. The OS 111 software module includes at least one software component for control overall system operations and enable smooth communication between various hardware components (devices) and software components. Communication software module 112 includes at least one software component for processing data transmitted and received via RF processing unit 131 or external port 140. Graphics software module 113 includes at least one software component for providing and display graphics on display unit 170. UI software module 114 includes at least one software component related to a user interface. Application program software module 115 includes a software component for at least one application program installed on portable electronic device 100.

[065] Touch screen operation program module 116 includes a touch error correction software component recognized by a touch panel IC and a touch panel IC that are included in the module. input / output control module 160. The external port control module 117 includes a component for displaying a message that indicates a SIM card has been inserted incorrectly after detection of misplacement by detection unit 30 under control of processor module 120. Memory module 121 of processor module 120 controls access to storage module 110 from other components, such as processor 122 or peripheral interface 123, and switches the functions of the connection terminals within a socket by controlling a memory unit. switching when the wrong insertion of the SIM card 20 is detected. Peripheral interface 123 controls the connections of the input / output peripherals of the electronic device 100 to processor 122 and storage module 110. Processor 122 supports services such as voice communication and data communication by using at least one program. Software In addition, processor 122 executes software modules stored in storage module 110 to provide multimedia services of software modules.

Memory controller 121, processor 122 and peripheral interface 123 included in processor module 120 may be implemented by a single integrated circuit (IC) or separate integrated circuits. The FRO processing unit 131 of communication module 130 processes RF signals transmitted and received through an antenna. For example, RF processing unit 131 converts baseband signals received from baseband processing unit 132 to RF signals and transmits RF signals through the antenna. In addition, RF processing unit 131 converts RF signals received by the antenna to baseband signals and transmits baseband signals to baseband processing unit 132. Here, RF processing unit 131 may include an RF transceiver, an amplifier, a tuner, an oscillator, a digital signal processor, a CODEC (Decoding Coding) chip set, and a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card.

[067] External port 140 includes a connection interface that enables the electronic device to connect to another external device directly or to connect to another device over a network. For example, external port 140 includes a charging interface for charging the electronic device, and a socket for accommodating a card-like external device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Such a socket may include several connection terminals for electrical connection corresponding to the various contact plates included in the external card type device. Switching unit 40 in one mode switches between different signals received by various connection terminals included in the socket in response to detection of card insertion by detection unit 30 or in response to control by processor module 120. Specifically unit 40 switches between individual signal pairs to provide one of the pairs as output in response to card misplace detection. An individual signal pair comprises two signals from two different corresponding socket contact plates 10 as described in connection with FIG. 7. The switching unit comprises several switching devices 41, 42 and 43.

[068] In one embodiment, a configuration pin 331 and a contact pin 332 of sensing unit 30 are provided in fixed part 33 and are electrically connected to each other by conductor 311 provided in moving part 31. Alternatively, the sensing unit 30 comprises a photosensor having a known light-emitting unit and a known light-receiving unit that detects erroneous insertion as previously described. The audio processing unit 150 forms audio packets and provides an audio interface between a user and portable electronic device 100 through a speaker and a microphone. Input / output control module 160 provides an interface between display unit 170 which includes a display module, input / output device such as a key input button 181 and a touch panel 182, and peripheral interface 123. Input / output control module 160 includes a trigger IC for determining a touch coordinate according to input information received from a touch panel.

[069] Display unit 170 displays status information indicating the condition of electronic device 100, user-entered characters, moving images, and still images, for example in response to control of graphics software module 113. In addition, display unit 170 displays an error message to the user indicating substantially immediate detection of card misplacement allowing a user to ensure normal operation, improving the reliability of the electronic device.

Although the invention has been shown and described with reference to some of its exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in shape and detail may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. . Therefore, the scope of the invention is defined not by the detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, but by the appended claims and various differences and modifications of exemplary embodiments falling within the scope of the present invention.

For example, although a SIM card with eight contact plates and a socket with six connection terminals is described above, the present invention is not limited to these. For example, several card-type devices in addition to the SIM card that include fewer than eight contact cards can be used. Several corresponding sockets may apply or connection terminals provided directly on the PCB of the electronic device.

It will be understood that embodiments of the present invention may be embodied in the form of hardware, software or a combination of hardware and software. For example, the embodiments described above may be implemented in hardware, firmware, or by executing software or computer code that may be stored on a recording medium, for example, a CD ROM, a Versatile Digital Disc (DVD), magnetic tape, RAM, floppy disk, hard disk, or magneto-optical disk or computer code downloaded over a network originally stored on a remote recording medium or non-transient machine readable medium and to be stored on a local recording medium. The methods and other embodiments described herein may be performed by means of such software which is stored on the recording medium using a general purpose computer, or a special processor or on programmable or dedicated hardware such as ASIC or FPGA.

[073] As will be understood in the art, the computer, processor, microprocessor controller or programmable hardware includes memory components, for example RAM, ROM, Flash, etc. which may store or receive computer software or code which, when accessed and executed by the computer, processor or hardware, implements the processing methods described herein.

In addition, it will be recognized that when a general purpose computer accesses code for implementing the processing shown here, code execution transforms the general purpose computer into a special use computer for performing the processing shown here.

[074] The functions and process steps here can be performed automatically or fully or partially in response to user command. An activity (including a step) performed automatically may be performed in response to executable instruction or device operation without direct initiation of the activity by the user.

It will be understood that storage devices and storage media are machine readable storage modalities that are suitable for storing a program or programs comprising instructions which, when executed, implement embodiments of the present invention. Accordingly, the embodiments provide a program comprising code for implementing equipment or a method as claimed in any one of the claims of this specification and a machine readable storage that stores such a program. Further, such programs may be electronically transferred by any means such as a communication signal carried over a wired or wireless connection and the embodiments suitably encompass it.

Claims (15)

Electronic device (100), characterized in that it comprises: a socket (10) provided within the electronic device (100); a card-like external device (20) with a cut-out section (21) formed in a corner of the card-like external device (20); a detection unit (30) for detecting erroneous insertion of the card-type external device (20) into socket (10) according to the incorrect location of the cut-out portion (21) during insertion of the card-type external device (20); and a processor (120) for transmitting a control signal in response to the detected erroneous insertion of the external card-like device (20). Electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensing unit comprises: a moving part occupying the cut-off section when the external card-type device is normally inserted into the socket; a fixed part separated from the moving part of a predetermined range; and a spring configured to support the moving part in occupying the cut-out section and being supported by the fixed part. Electronic device according to claim 2, characterized in that: the moving part is provided with a conductor; the fixed part is provided with a first terminal and a second terminal separated from each other; and the first terminal and the second terminal are connected to each other by the conductor in response to movement of the moving part. Electronic device according to claim 3, characterized in that the moving part is configured to be pushed when the external card-type device is inserted in the wrong way so that the conductor electrically connects to the first terminal and the second terminal of the fixed part. to detect wrong insertion of external card-type device. Electronic device according to any preceding claim, further comprising a display device for displaying an error message in response to the detected erroneous insertion of the external card-type device. Electronic device according to any preceding claim, further comprising a switching unit for switching between electrical signals present at the socket connection terminals corresponding to the electrical signals of the contact cards of the wrongly inserted external device; in response to the detected wrong insertion of the external card type device. Electronic device according to claim 6, characterized in that the switching unit is configured to be switched automatically in response to the detected wrong insertion of the external card-type device. Electronic device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the switching unit is configured to perform a switching operation in response to a control signal from the processor. Electronic device according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the external card-type device comprises a Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) card or a memory card. Electronic device according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the detection unit comprises at least one photosensor which performs detection by using the cut-out section of the external card-type device to pass light for correct insertion detection. Electronic device according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises a first photosensor for detecting whether there is a cropped section and a second photosensor for detecting whether the external card-like device is inserted. A method for detecting a wrong insertion of an external card-like device into a socket of an electronic device, comprising: determining if the external card-like device is inserted incorrectly; and display an error message that indicates the wrong insertion in response to the detected wrong insertion of the external card device. The method of claim 12 further comprising interrupting the operation of the electronic device in response to the detected erroneous insertion of the external card-like device. A method according to claim 13 further comprising: determining whether the card-like external device is usable without the correct insertion of the card-like external device; and in response to the determination of the card-type external device to be usable without reinsertion, toggle between electrical signals from the socket connection terminals corresponding to the electrical signals from the card-type external device contact plates that are inserted incorrectly, in response to the detected wrong insertion of the external card type device. Method for detecting a wrong insertion of an external card-like device into an electronic device socket, comprising: determining whether the external card-like device with several contact plates exposed on a surface of the external card-like device for corresponding connections to socket connection terminals, is inserted wrong; and in response to the determination that the card-type external device is incorrectly inserted, toggle between electrical signals from the socket connection terminals corresponding to the electrical signals from the card-type external device contact plates that are incorrectly inserted.